The man killed Tuesday in Washington and his alleged murderer knew one another and had been involved in an argument before the fatal stabbing, authorities said.

While it was unclear what the two had a disagreement about, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said, Daniel Lawrence and the victim are believed to have had an exchange, either physical or verbal, at some point earlier in the day Tuesday.

"Apparently at some point it got more serious thereafter," he said. "We're not sure when or why."

He made his first appearance in New Jersey Superior Court in Belvidere this afternoon and is being held in the Warren County jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

Police have identified the victim but are not releasing his name until his family members are notified. During an afternoon press briefing in the Washington Township Municipal Building this afternoon, Burke would only describe the victim as a New Jersey man, believed to be about 30 years old.

The prosecutor said police responded to the home at 6:17 p.m. after receiving reports a man had been stabbed. Officers found the victim with multiple stab wounds, lying in the front yard and bleeding, authorities said.

He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Burke said.

Lawrence was taken into custody at the scene as a person of interest. Although he has not confessed to the crime, he was later identified as a suspect and was charged early this morning.

Authorities said he lived periodically at the home where the murder occurred and was familiar with the victim as well as the female who lived in the home.

In the hours after the stabbing, several neighbors said they suspected there was suspicious activity at the home and said police had been at the house before.

Police Chief James McDonald said today his department was familiar with the residents and had responded in the past for both drug and domestic-related incidents.